#NNPA BlackPress
OP-ED: Why this Black Man Proudly Supports Kamala Harris
NNPA NEWSWIRE – I believe in an aspirational America, one that celebrates rags-to-riches stories and welcomes those who dream big. VP Harris’s background as a woman of color achieving firsts speaks to who we are and, more importantly, who we can be. That’s the America I believe in, and I believe Kamala Harris can help lead us there.”

It was a warm day in Oakland. A crowd gathered around Kamala Harris, who had just wrapped up a town hall. Standing at 6 feet 2 inches, I felt small in her presence—she commanded the energy in the room. My mom, ever protective, ensured I got to the front of the line, where Harris greeted us warmly.
It was 2017, and I had recently completed a YouTube documentary on her journey from San Francisco district attorney to US Senator. Her team noticed and invited me to attend this event, solidifying my belief that she’d be a future presidential contender. Meeting her sparked a sense of possibility. “Congratulations, Mama—I know you’re so proud.” She congratulated me on my path to working in Governor Brown’s office and shared a moment with my mother that filled us both with pride.
Since that day, I’ve pursued a career in public service and media, carrying forward the inspiration she gave me. So much has changed since that warm day in Oakland—Kamala is now the Democratic nominee for President, yet the country feels more divided than ever. But despite the noise, I still believe in her vision for an America that’s bigger than all of us—a vision that embraces the impossible and turns it into reality.
The Backlash for Supporting Harris
When I express my support for VP Harris, I’m often met with skepticism, particularly from other men of color. They think my support comes from ideological loyalty, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Growing up in a single-parent home with limited resources, I learned early on that achieving big dreams wasn’t easy, especially for people who looked like me. It wasn’t until I was 17, when I witnessed the groundbreaking election of President Obama that I grew a sense of hope—a belief that America’s promise was within reach if I worked hard.
My support for Kamala Harris is rooted in that same spirit of optimism. She represents a path forward that values character, resilience, and a commitment to lifting everyone up. I’m not looking for a quick fix or short-term gain but for a long-term vision for America—one that doesn’t just serve the wealthy but builds opportunity for everyone.
I believe in an aspirational America, one that celebrates rags-to-riches stories and welcomes those who dream big. VP Harris’s background as a woman of color achieving firsts speaks to who we are and, more importantly, who we can be. That’s the America I believe in, and I believe Kamala Harris can help lead us there.”
Protecting Our Children and Communities from Gun Violence
I visited the White House’s Office of Gun Violence Prevention on March 4 to discuss the urgent need to address gun violence. This issue hits home for me—I lost my uncle to gun violence in 2001, a tragedy my family has never fully healed from. Growing up in neighborhoods where gunshots were common, I know firsthand the trauma this violence inflicts.
While I support the Second Amendment, I believe we need sensible gun safety measures. Children shouldn’t be growing up with gun drills as a norm, and it shouldn’t be so easy to access firearms that entire communities live in fear. Kamala Harris advocates for common-sense solutions that respect the rights of gun owners while prioritizing public safety. This isn’t about taking away rights; it’s about saving lives.
Borderline Scary
This past March, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin invited me to visit the Department of Defense. I saw the dedication of our military members, including many young Black men and women who serve with courage. Harris’s approach to national security respects this service. Unlike Trump, who has shown disrespect for our troops, Harris values their sacrifices and understands the importance of steady, strategic leadership.
In a world of complex threats, we need leaders who act with care and honor those who serve. Harris personifies this, showing that America’s role is as an economic powerhouse and a trusted global leader.
A Balanced Approach to Immigration
Conversations around immigration often reveal misconceptions, even within my community. While I agree that we need secure borders to protect jobs and public safety, there also needs to be a pathway to citizenship for those who come here legally and contribute. It was the hard work and dreams of immigrants that built America—we can’t lose that spirit.
Earlier this year, a bipartisan immigration bill that balanced security with a pathway to citizenship was blocked. Harris, however, understands the need for a nuanced approach that upholds our values and benefits us all. When people have the chance to come here legally and contribute, our entire society benefits.
A Vision for America
Looking back on that day in Oakland in 2017 when I met then-Senator Harris, I remember the optimism I felt—the belief that in America, even the impossible can become a reality. A Jamaican and Indian girl from Oakland had become a U.S. Senator, then and now, I predict, our next President.
When I vote for Kamala Harris, I’m voting for an America that is bold, inclusive and aspirational—a country that leads with integrity, not fear, and an economy that serves everyone, not just the privileged. This choice isn’t just about policies; it’s about believing in a country that doesn’t shrink from its values but fully embraces them.
Kamala Harris represents a balance of strength and empathy, promoting stability for families and communities, not just quick gains for the wealthy. Supporting her is about building an America where compassion and resilience coexist.
I want an America that lives up to its promise, a beacon of justice and opportunity for all. That’s the America Kamala Harris embodies, and that’s why I’m proud to support her.
#NNPA BlackPress
Tiguan’s AI Touchscreen & Gear Shift: VW Just Changed the Game! #2
Explore the Tiguan’s cutting-edge 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen featuring wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, voice control, and a new AI assistant. See how VW innovatively moved the gear shifter to the steering column, enhancing the center console and navigation system! #AutoNetwork #Tiguan #Infotainment #AppleCarPlay #AndroidAuto #AISystem #NavigationSystem #CarTech #TechReview #CarInnovation #Automotive

https://youtube.com/watch?v=0xUKM6U2Lpc&autoplay=0&cc_lang_pref=en&cc_load_policy=0&color=0&controls=1&fs=1&h1=en&loop=0&rel=0
Explore the Tiguan’s cutting-edge 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen featuring wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, voice control, and a new AI assistant. See how VW innovatively moved the gear shifter to the steering column, enhancing the center console and navigation system! #AutoNetwork #Tiguan #Infotainment #AppleCarPlay #AndroidAuto #AISystem #NavigationSystem #CarTech #TechReview #CarInnovation #Automotive
#NNPA BlackPress
IN MEMORIAM: Legendary Funk Pioneer Sly Stone Dies at 82
Sly Stone’s musical approach radically reshaped popular music. He transcended genre boundaries and empowered a new generation of artists. The band’s socially conscious message and infectious rhythms sparked a wave of influence, reaching artists as diverse as Miles Davis, George Clinton, Prince, Dr. Dre, and the Roots.

By Stacy M. Brown
BlackPressUSA.com Newswire
Sylvester “Sly” Stewart—known to the world as Sly Stone, frontman of the groundbreaking band Sly and the Family Stone—has died at the age of 82.
His family confirmed that he passed away peacefully at his Los Angeles home surrounded by loved ones, after battling chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other health complications.
Born March 15, 1943, in Denton, Texas, Stone moved with his family to Vallejo, California, as a child. He began recording gospel music at age 8 with his siblings in a group called the Stewart Four. By his teenage years, he had mastered multiple instruments and was already pioneering racial integration in music—an ethos that would define his career.
In 1966, Sly and his brother Freddie merged their bands to form Sly and the Family Stone, complete with a revolutionary interracial, mixed-gender lineup.
The band quickly became a commercial and cultural force with hits such as “Dance to the Music,” “Everyday People,” and “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)”—all penned by Stone himself.
Their album “Stand!” (1969) and live performances—most notably at Woodstock—cemented their reputation, blending soul, funk, rock, gospel, and psychedelia to reflect the optimism and turmoil of their era.
Sly Stone’s musical approach radically reshaped popular music. He transcended genre boundaries and empowered a new generation of artists. The band’s socially conscious message and infectious rhythms sparked a wave of influence, reaching artists as diverse as Miles Davis, George Clinton, Prince, Dr. Dre, and the Roots.
As the 1970s progressed, Stone confronted personal demons. His desire to use music as a response to war, racism, and societal change culminated in the intense album “There’s a Riot Goin’ On” (1971). But drug dependency began to undermine both his health and professional life, leading to erratic behavior and band decline through the early 1980s.
Withdrawn from the public eye for much of the 1990s and early 2000s, Stone staged occasional comebacks. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Grammys in 2017, and captured public attention following the 2023 release of his memoir “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)”—published under Questlove’s imprint. He also completed a biographical screenplay and was featured in Questlove’s documentary “Sly Lives!” earlier this year.
His influence endured across generations. Critics and historians repeatedly credit him with perfecting funk and creating a “progressive soul,” shaping a path for racial integration both onstage and in the broader culture.
“Rest in beats Sly Stone,” legendary Public Enemy frontman Chuck D posted on social media with an illustrative drawing of the artist. “We should thank Questlove of the Roots for keeping his fire blazing in this century.”
Emmy-winning entertainment publicist Danny Deraney also paid homage. “Rest easy Sly Stone,” Deraney posted. “You changed music (and me) forever. The time he won over Ed Sullivan’s audience in 1968. Simply magical. Freelance music publicist and Sirius XM host Eric Alper also offered a tribute.
“The funk pioneer who made the world dance, think, and get higher,” Alper wrote of Sly Stone. “His music changed everything—and it still does.”
Sly Stone is survived by three children.
#NNPA BlackPress
PRESS ROOM: Clyburn on 10th Anniversary of Mother Emanuel AME Church Shooting in Charleston
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Congressman James E. Clyburn (SC-06) released the following video on X, paying tribute to the 10th anniversary of the shooting that took place at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina on June 17, 2015.

By Congressman James E. Clyburn
CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – Congressman James E. Clyburn (SC-06) released the following video on X, paying tribute to the 10th anniversary of the shooting that took place at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina on June 17, 2015.
“Over 6 years ago, the House first passed my Enhanced Background Checks Act to close the Charleston Loophole that allowed a white supremacist to obtain the gun he used to murder nine worshipers at Emanuel AME Church on June 17, 2015.
“I’ll never stop fighting to pass this law.”
-
Activism4 weeks ago
After Two Decades, Oakland Unified Will Finally Regain Local Control
-
Alameda County4 weeks ago
Oakland Begins Month-Long Closure on Largest Homeless Encampment
-
Activism4 weeks ago
New Oakland Moving Forward
-
Activism4 weeks ago
East Bay Community Foundation’s New Grants Give Oakland’s Small Businesses a Boost
-
Barbara Lee4 weeks ago
WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries Kick Off Season with Community Programs in Oakland
-
Activism4 weeks ago
Oakland Hosts Town Hall Addressing Lead Hazards in City Housing
-
Activism4 weeks ago
OPINION: Your Voice and Vote Impact the Quality of Your Health Care
-
Bay Area4 weeks ago
Chevron Richmond Installs Baker Hughes Flare.IQ, Real-time Flare Monitoring, Control and Reduction System